On Monday, February 9, a group of Buddhist monks participating in a national “Walk for Peace” will pass through Old Town Alexandria as part of their journey to Washington, D.C. The City of Alexandria will support public safety and traffic management as the group travels through the area.

During their visit, Mayor Alyia Gaskins will briefly present the monks with a City proclamation recognizing their message of peace and compassion.

Important Notice for Residents and Businesses

We anticipate that crowd size, rolling street closures, and temporary road restrictions will significantly affect resident and vehicle access, deliveries, and travel within and around Old Town. Businesses and residents are encouraged to plan accordingly.

Route of the Walk

The “Walk for Peace” will begin at the City line at S. Washington Street and Church Street and proceed north along S. Washington Street through Old Town to Christ Church.

Rolling Street Closures

Streets and intersections along the route will be subject to rolling closures to safely accommodate pedestrians and crowd movement, including closures on:

• Cameron Street between Washington Street and Alfred Street
• Columbus Street between King Street and Queen Street

Timing: Approximately 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

During this period, vehicles may be temporarily restricted from entering, exiting, or moving within impacted areas. Access will be restored as the procession passes and conditions allow.

Parking & Delivery Considerations

• Vehicles parked within impacted areas may not be able to move during the event window.
• Vehicles unable to move due to weather-related conditions will not be ticketed or towed.

Attending the Walk

Business owners, employees, and community members who wish to observe the “Walk for Peace” may line the route or gather at Christ Church. At approximately 12:00 p.m., the monks will address attendees.

To ensure a safe and respectful experience for all, attendees are asked to observe the following guidelines:

• Follow all directions provided by law enforcement officers and event coordinators.
• Stay on sidewalks and out of roadways at all times.
• Stand calmly along the route and observe quietly.
• Remain in place and do not walk alongside or trail the monks.
• Refrain from approaching, touching, or stepping in front of the monks.
• Maintain a respectful distance and allow the monks to initiate any interaction.

What to Expect

• Increased pedestrian activity along the route from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Rolling street and intersection closures along S. Washington Street and nearby cross streets
• Limited vehicle access between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• A calm, reflective, and respectful atmosphere during the visit

Police and City staff will be on site to assist with safety and traffic management. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as the City welcomes this meaningful event. Updates will be shared through City communication channels as needed.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Mariah Covington at Mariah.Covington@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3978, Virginia Relay 711.  

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.